Armenia and Crimea discussed tourism potentials

Representatives of travel agencies of de-facto Crimea and Armenia signed cooperation agreements within the framework of the visit of the delegation of the Russian region to Yerevan. This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the de-facto Crimea Irina Kiviko.

“In Yerevan, representatives of travel agencies of the Republic of Crimea presented the tourism potential of our peninsula to their Armenian colleagues. As a result of the presentation, five agreements were signed between travel companies and hotels of the Republic of Crimea and travel companies of the Republic of Armenia,” she informed.

“The businesses of Crimea and Armenia are ready to work with each other,” Kiviko stated.

Among the signatories are the Crimean Winepark on the territory of the Mriya Hotel and one of the largest tour operators in Armenia, Belaviaservice. The Crimean delegation previously held meetings with representatives of business and the public of Armenia within the Days of Crimea.

Armenia and Slovakia have signed an agreement on economic cooperation

Armenia and Slovakia signed a bilateral Economic Cooperation Agreement, according to the Armenian Ministry of Economy. Economy Minister Vahan Kerobyan and Slovakia's Ambassador to Yerevan Miroslav Hacek signed the contract.

The parties agreed to strengthen links in industry, tourism, energy, agriculture, small and medium-sized businesses, transportation and infrastructure, environmental protection, and information and communication technology as part of the agreement. Kerobyan mentioned metallurgy, mechanical engineering, microelectronics, chemistry, rubber manufacturing, jewellery, textile industry, and pharmaceuticals as areas worth focusing on in the future.

Hacek advised that Armenia should consider Slovakia, an EU member, as a European centre through which it may expand its economic links with other European nations. According to him, Armenia is viewed in Slovakia as a country with significant growth potential, highly skilled people resources, and quick progress in the sector of information technology.

Matviyenko noted importance of strengthening relations between Russia and Armenia

Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko noted that she is confident that good neighbourly relations between Russia and Armenia will continue to be strengthened in the name of peace, justice, and prosperity.

"On behalf of the Federation Council, I congratulate you and the entire deputies of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and Armenia," the speaker's telegram addressed to the head of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan said.

Matviyenko noted that in the centuries-old history of true friendship, indestructible brotherhood and spiritual kinship, this event marked the beginning of a qualitatively new stage in the allied interaction between Russia and Armenia.

"Russia and Armenia continue to develop political dialogue, interaction in the cultural, humanitarian, trade and economic spheres, together develop measures to counter emerging challenges and threats. I have no doubt that we will continue to strengthen good-neighbourly relations in the name of peace, justice, and prosperity," the statement added.

She expressed confidence that the joint work of the parliamentarians of the two countries will help improve the legal framework for expanding mutually beneficial ties between the countries, including in the field of Eurasian integration.

Deputy Defence Minister of Armenia: Reforms have begun in Armenian Armed Forces

Deputy Defence Minister of Armenia Arman Sargsyan assured that reforms have been launched and continue in the Armed Forces. Sargsyan announced this at a meeting of the NA Standing Committee on Defence and Security. He was responding to Gegham Manukyan, MP from the Hayastan faction, who stated that “at the meetings of the commission, not a single legislative package was presented that would supplement the concept of these reforms.”

Gegham Manukyan recalled that the government mentioned in its report that a reform package for the Armed Forces had been prepared, but so far, the reform package had not been submitted to the National Assembly and the Defence Commission. He asked when the Department of Defence would finally present the package.

The deputy minister recalled that the National Assembly discussed the changes that would need to be made to the laws. “By the way, the Hayastan faction also submitted proposals to the Ministry of Defence, and other NA factions also made proposals. Reforms have begun,” Sargsyan assured. He noted that if they are not noticeable for some political forces, then this is a matter of political assessment. “The reforms have begun. Both in legislative and other aspects, they are currently under implementation,” Sargsyan concluded.